The prospect of Australia carrying an unchanged attack throughout next summer's Ashes appears slim, with Trevor Hohns calling for closer monitoring of weary fast bowlers.

Australia picked frontline quicks Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc throughout last summer, backing allrounder Cameron Green's spells to help keep everybody fresh.

But India grinded Australia's star-studded attack into submission, batting out a draw at the SCG then hauling in a target of 328 at the Gabba to cap a series victory.

Starc's pace and potency was down in Brisbane, while he was sent for scans on some niggles after the final Test.

Chairman of selectors Hohns stopped short of admitting his panel erred, but conceded Australia must "look at" their management of fast bowlers.

"Particularly now, when most Test matches are programmed pretty closely on the heels of each other. We can't ask them to continually back up, day after day after day," Hohns told reporters.

"It's only natural they are going to get tired.

"Sure, they might feel OK within themselves, but we've really got to monitor that a bit harder."

Express paceman James Pattinson, who on Friday retained his national contract despite failing to play an international match in the preceding 12 months, would likely have played at the Gabba if fit.

But Pattinson suffered an untimely rib injury after the Boxing Day Test.

"In hindsight, maybe he could have been used last year," Hohns said.

"We still consider him a prime candidate to play Test cricket for us in the coming 12 months - depending on form, whether he's injured or other fast bowlers are injured.

"He's very important to us ... our premier back-up fast bowler."

Hohns also offered words of encouragement for much-improved legspinner Mitch Swepson, who wasn't offered a national contract.

"He can certainly challenge Nathan (Lyon). Whether he will ever take his place (in the Test side) while Nathan is fit, who knows," Hohns said.

"I can certainly see a bright future."

Meanwhile, Hohns welcomed Steve Smith's declaration he was open to captaining the country again but added "that sort of conversation is really for down the track".